Early season scare against Boston College has helped fuel Seminoles' blow-out wins

November 18, 2013

TALLAHASSEE — Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher envisioned a program filled with players who were fast, physical and absolutely ruthless in their pursuit of victory.

During his fourth season guiding the Seminoles, Fisher has compiled what is close to his ideal team.

"It really is, if we continue to play well," Fisher said.

The No. 2 Seminoles have established themselves as possibly the nation's most dominant and complete team en route to a 10-0 start. FSU's scoring margin of plus-40.9 against Football Bowl Subdivision opponents is the second highest total in the nation. The Seminoles are the only team to have won every game by at least 14 points, a trend that will likely continue when the 56-point favorites host Idaho (1-9) Saturday. Kickoff is at 3:30 p.m. and the game will air on ESPNU.

FSU has consistently won with ease largely because of its superior talent level, although the Seminoles have had talent in recent seasons and haven't matched this success. Sharpened focus, thanks partially to an early-season scare against Boston College, has helped springboard a run of dominance.

The Seminoles fell behind Boston College 14-3 and rallied to win 48-34. Dating back to the second quarter of that contest on Sept. 28, the Seminoles have not trailed for 391 minutes and 49 seconds of game time.

Whether teams have been highly ranked or unheralded, the Seminoles have typically gotten off to fast starts and been well in control by halftime.

"A part of it, blame that on Boston College, when we started out slow," FSU receiver Kenny Shaw said. "It's not a good feeling coming from behind, so we pride ourselves every week in starting out fast."

Aside from the Boston College game, FSU has manhandled its opponents. Maryland starting quarterback C.J. Brown missed four games after sustaining a concussion against the Seminoles. Miami's start running back Duke Johnson was lost for the year with a broken ankle while playing FSU.

"People are used to Florida State being a fast team, but Coach Jimbo let us know in the spring that we're going to be a physical team," FSU defensive tackle Jacobbi McDaniel said. "We really want to impose our will in the opponent."

FSU's opponents have struggled to rebound, whether it is physically or mentally, after playing the Seminoles. FBS teams combined for a 32-14 record leading up to games against FSU. But after facing the Seminoles, teams are a combined 17-19.

With an offense led by Heisman hopeful quarterback Jameis Winston and a bevy of NFL-caliber players, and a physical defense, FSU has set itself apart from almost every other program.

"I think scouts would probably be mixed on this, but if you ask NFL scouts about pure talent and how it translates to the NFL, some would say Florida State is the best right now," CBS college football analyst Jeremy Fowler said. "I don't know if that's the barometer for the best team, but it's certainly telling. People can look at Florida State and Alabama and say those two are probably a cut above, talent and depth wise, compared to anyone in the country right now.

"With their schedule left, Idaho, Florida and then maybe Virginia Tech or maybe Duke, I don't see the train stopping right now, until January."